Ranbir Kapoor

Not much has been written, said or heard about astronaut Rakesh Sharma’s bio-pic, Sare Jahan Se Achcha directed by Mahesh Mathai, which already has a traumatic history. First Aamir Khan opted out, Shah Rukh Khan stepped in and now Shah Rukh is no more part of the project. Shah Rukh Khan is currently ‘not doing any more films’ after the abysmal response of Zero. Aamir Khan’s recent Thugs of Hindostan was also a commercial and critical failure. Vicky Kaushal however has been riding high from the film Uri: The Surgical Strike’s success as the film minted over 240 crores at the box office. However, just when Vicky Kaushal was being “seriously considered” he opted to do the Udham Singh bio-pic with director Shoojit Sircar.

So where does all this leave the Rakesh Sharma bio-pic? Right there by Ranbir Kapoor’s side. The producer Siddharth Roy Kapur is very keen to have Ranbir on board. Ranbir was recently seen in Sanju and will be seen in Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra, postponed to 2020.

“Everyone associated with Sare Jahaan Se Achcha is in agreement that Ranbir is the right emotional and physical fit for the part,” says a source in the know.

So what’s keeping Ranbir from signing on the dotted line?

The source informs, “Ek toh Ranbir has lately completed the Sanjay Dutt bio-pic (Sanju). He doesn’t want to return to the biographical neighbourhood for at least five years. However the producer is insistent. Ranbir is being offered his market price.